With an election seven months away, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is under enormous duress. A bitter war for succession is becoming a frenzy as the general elections draw closer in 2028. This political crisis has intensified within the ruling ZANU-PF party, revealing deep divisions and raising concerns about Mnangagwa’s future in leadership. Zimbabwe is wracked with economic regression and social unrest. Consequently, Zimbabwe’s former ally of Robert Mugabe is now under pressure from all quarters to resign.
Mnangagwa came to power in 2017 after orchestrating the ousting of longtime strongman Robert Mugabe. Mugabe, in power for nearly four decades, was forced out at 93 years of age. At first, Mnangagwa’s government claimed it would bring democratic, inclusive economic reforms, but on the ground—far from the glitzy promises and 24-hour news cycle—it’s a very different story. Zimbabwe’s constitution strictly limits elected presidents to two terms, and Mnangagwa is now on his second elected term. Some members of his party have begun advocating for a controversial “2030 agenda,” suggesting that he should remain in power for a third term despite its constitutional implications.
Political Landscape Shifts
The political landscape in Zimbabwe has changed dramatically as political factions inside ZANU-PF jockey for position and power. Our party members are all in on the environmental “2030 agenda.” To them, keeping Mnangagwa in power is critical to continue progress on reforms that are still a work in progress. This unprecedented maneuver has faced blistering criticism from opponents, who argue that it subverts democracy itself.
Blessing Vava, director of the human rights organization Crisis Zimbabwe. He later reflected on the episode, asking, “Is it impossible that people don’t want the 2030 agenda? Citizens are getting fed up and speaking out in greater numbers. This frustration is the product of the government’s overall failure to address economic challenges and increasing distrust of political elites.
The situation has been compounded by a wave of recent purges in the security establishment. These key architectural figures were dismissed, or walked away, during a national maelstrom. This initial group featured Godwin Matanga, the chief of police, as well as Isaac Moyo, head of the intelligence service, and General Anselem Sanyatwe, the commander of the presidential guard. These recent dismissals have further called into question loyalty and government stability.
Economic Hardships Persist
For nearly two decades, Zimbabwe has experienced a gravely profound economic meltdown. These problems have led to hyperinflation, massive unemployment, and widespread unrest among its people. Over the last two decades, the savings of everyday Zimbabweans have been wiped out as millions have endured grinding economic misery. The government’s failure to deliver basic services or create decent jobs has stoked the anger of the public.
Vava was speaking for the feelings of many Zimbabweans when he said, “Zimbabweans are tired of being cheated and don’t want to be hoodwinked again. People are angry, not just due to the crushing economic pain. They are angered by political leaders’ willingness to put their own political futures ahead of the public interest.
For years, Mnangagwa’s regime has been plagued by corruption and mismanagement, having eaten away at the people’s trust on all fronts. As critics like Blessed “Bombshell” Geza have pointed out, this was an important realization. Once Mnangagwa had a taste of power, he turned his back on the people. In fact, once he actually started tasting power, his corruption took off like a rocket. He lost sight of the people, the person, and only thought about his own family, he said.
Future Uncertain
With so much uncertainty about what Mnangagwa will do with his presidency and with Zimbabwe’s future direction at stake, the stakes are high. Promises made during his rise to power have largely gone unfulfilled, creating a hunger among increasingly disillusioned voters. Rhetoric surrounding a possible third term under the “2030 agenda” has fueled concerns that Burundi will slide into an extended political crisis. This would move the country closer to a tipping point of chaos.
Though he promised to step down and hand over control to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga when he first came into office, Mnangagwa has refused to budge. Chiwenga was by far the most influential figure in the coup that brought Mnangagwa to power. He hasn’t publicly ruled out a run for president or challenging his boss.
As political tensions rise between factions within ZANU-PF and the Zimbabwean public continues to lose faith in corrupt governance, Zimbabweans can only hope to see these powers collide. Citizens around the country are hoping for a deeper change in leadership, and seeking a leader that can really prove themselves to meet their needs. “Zimbabweans are fatigued and looking for a messiah,” Vava said, highlighting the need for visionary leadership of the times.
